Opinions on Boost Gauges

[jibberishballr]

Which boost gauge(s) are affordable yet accurate. Im currently on a tight budget and would like to get gauges that wont cost a lot, but will be accurate. Also i need to get pillars or a bezel that will fit with these gauges. I want to get these items for as low as possible. Links, sites, and any other help is appreciated.

 

[VelocitàPaola]

Which boost gauge(s) are affordable yet accurate. Im currently on a tight budget and would like to get gauges that wont cost a lot, but will be accurate. Also i need to get pillars or a bezel that will fit with these gauges. I want to get these items for as low as possible. Links, sites, and any other help is appreciated.

Autometer is pretty much the cheapest, and yet reliable, gauge you can get. Phantom boost gauges sell for about $50 (sometimes less if you buy used).

As for bezels and a-pillar mounts, most of the Autometer gauges are 2 1/16" or 2 5/8", which is a common size that will fit in most mounts. The mounts themselves don't need to be any particular brand name, they just need to be functional.

As with most purchases, look on eBay or in the classifieds here on DSMTuners for either the gauges or the mounts. If you want to buy new, eBay is still a good resource, but check out the site sponsors as well.

You may notice some no-name brand triple a-pillar mount with three gauges floating around eBay. I've never had them, but I can tell you that I woudn't trust them under any circumstances.

 

[Quasimondo]

www.egauges.com usually has good deals on gauges.

 

[vintagemuscle]

check out www.summitracing.com for cheap auto meter and stewart warner gauges. both are accurate but i like the stewart warner gauges because not many people use them.

 

[GVR4592]

I've had really bad luck with the stewart warner gauges. I bought all new gauges about 3 months ago, boost, oil pressure, and coolant temp. My brother bought boost, oil pressure, coolant temp and fuel level. My boost gauges was defective so I sent it back, they sent me a new one and that one was defective. My brothers fuel level gauge didn't work. My coolant temp gauge doesn't work either. I sent mine back and bought all new autometer gauges, and they work perfectly.

 

[Spooling99]

I purchased the boost combo from Import Evolution, It comes with an autometer boost gauge, dual pillar, and a Joe P mbc for 115$ very good deal if you ask me and shipping was pretty fast as well.
-ADAM-

 

[MyBeatGSX]

My friends have had good luck with the Megan Racing gauges, they look awsome for the price too. Similar price to autometer but far better looking (think like defi). I'll be getting boost and oil pressure from them soon.

 

[Boostedexcel]

VDO all the way!

 

[vintagemuscle]

I've had really bad luck with the stewart warner gauges. I bought all new gauges about 3 months ago, boost, oil pressure, and coolant temp. My brother bought boost, oil pressure, coolant temp and fuel level. My boost gauges was defective so I sent it back, they sent me a new one and that one was defective. My brothers fuel level gauge didn't work. My coolant temp gauge doesn't work either. I sent mine back and bought all new autometer gauges, and they work perfectly.

that's very strange. stewart warner is usually a very reliable company and i think they have even been around longer than autometer. i think it was just a case of bad luck. either way, there both good gauges.

 

[PC5505]

I bought an autometer mechanical boost guage and one month later it read like crap. it started reading 10 inches of vacuum when the car was off and it should be at zero. I was pissed. Couldn't even set boost by it. it would read 15psi for 2 seconds at WOT and then drop to 7 or 10, without any difference in the car pulling so i know it was way off and had to turn it down till i got a new one just to be safe.

 

[VelocitàPaola]

I bought an autometer mechanical boost guage and one month later it read like crap. it started reading 10 inches of vacuum when the car was off and it should be at zero. I was pissed. Couldn't even set boost by it. it would read 15psi for 2 seconds at WOT and then drop to 7 or 10, without any difference in the car pulling so i know it was way off and had to turn it down till i got a new one just to be safe.

And did you contact Autometer about this? I bought a brand new Autometer boost/vac gauge online. When I got it, it read something similar - ten inches of vacuum when the car was off. I contacted Autometer and they replaced it no questions asked.

I've had it in there for at least six months now with no problems.

 

[jibberishballr]

Thanks for the info guys. Im not sure what im going to get yet but this helps. Ill probably get a dual pillar off ebay and then by some gauges somewhere else. Oh....couple more question. Are Lo-tek gauges any good? Also if i get gauges should i buy the tubing kit or is that neccesary?

 

[MrBoxx]

The Lo-Tek gauge pods/pillars are such good quality and match to the stock interior that I've had numerous people ask me if the car came with it or if I put it in. I highly recommend them. However, I can't speak for their gauges, since they weren't selling gauges when I bought my pillar.

I've had my VDO boost gauge in for over four years now and couldn't be happier with it. The numbers match the stock gauge cluster font perfectly and the boost readings are solid and clean.

I recommend getting a rubber hose kit instead of using the white nylon line that comes with most gauges. It tends to kink and crack and is pretty difficult to work with, whereas a rubber hose and tee make installation so much easier. For most gauges, all that's required is a brass barbed fitting that screws on the back of the gauge. You could probably just buy one at an auto parts store, along with the rubber hose and tee.

 

[kevint427]

This is how I see it. AutoMeter's boost guages are very well backed with some kind of warranty out of teh box. Look at their products and you rarely hear of any going bad. I very much would prefer to have a full Defi setup, however the AutoMeter will get me by untill I have 1500 dollars to waste on 3 guages. Although I would drool over them for months! SO BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!

 

[jepherz]

I second a vote for VDO. These gauges are used in Porsche and VW from the factory and are very cheap. Check out www.eauges.com.

 

[GVR4592]

that's very strange. stewart warner is usually a very reliable company and i think they have even been around longer than autometer. i think it was just a case of bad luck. either way, there both good gauges.

I agree, I think it was bad luck. I've never heard anything bad about their gauges until I had my experience with them.

 

[TRBOBLU]

I wont buy another autometer gauge. My first one started reading 4psi when the car was off(mechanical gauge). So they send me another which reads to 30psi. After barley 2 years of use the gauge developed a internal leak even though I have never ran over 20psi. Autometer I really like Defi but they are quite pricey. Most of the japanese gauges like greddy are very good too.

 

[jtxtrmboost]

If you need something (on a budget) but still reliable I would go with autometer. There are plenty of reputable autometer vendors on eBay. Here is one from exotic truck auto for $43.00 brand new.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/AUTO...ewItemQQcategoryZ38660QQitemZ8041361151QQrdZ1

 

[TJGoSurf]

I have a Defi currently, don't know how expensive they are. Someone gave it to me broken and I repaired it. I have a Faze too but it starts to flip out after 20 psi. The Faze is for sale too, it changes color too.

 

[PC5505]

I realize this is outdated, I'm just revisiting my old posts.... I never contacted Autometer when my guage went south because I wasn't aware of a manufaturers warranty. The guage failed about a month after I bought it and I couldn't find the reciept by then. I ended up buying a $20 Sunpro guage of the same size (52mm) at Action Auto Parts and I haven't been dissapointed, its accurate, reliable and hooked right up to the NPT fittings left over from the previous install. You don't have to spend big money for simple things like guages to be accurate. I think it was less than a third what I paid for the autometer after shipping.

 

[onegeenewbie]

I've had my VDO boost gauge installed on my car for about 4 months so far (not much), but so far no problems. I'll definitely be buying one again since they can be had for ~$50.

 

[drocks22]

I have heard several good things about prosport gauges. They are very attractive because they are blacked out when the car isn't turned on, and they are also extremely cheap. The amber color also matches our cars almost perfectly. I'm picking up a boost, egt, and voltmeter today from them at www.prosportgauges.com

 

[matthewdesigns]

Another vote for VDO here. I bought it b/c they have a long history as the gauge of choice for performance car manufacturers, and it's a simple and easy to read face...white numerals on a black face with an orange needle. I've had mine in for 6 months with no problems.

 

[GST98BIG16G]

glowshift gauges work fine on mine

 

[GStuscani]

i'm not a big fan of autometer, my boost gauge started out fine but then all of a sudden it started reading 5 on the vac side with my car was off, so i went with meganracing, they look Fing awsome with the tint and they were the same price as autometers. they llook like theyre way better quality too!